SA vs Pakistan 2013

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The Pakistan tour of south Africa begins in all earnest tomorrow morning in Johannesburg, The Bull ring has had some famous mathc ups in the past, and I for one am very excited about this test series.

South Africa's test series vs Pakistan is a bit of a venture into the unknown as the last time they played in the UAE the tracks were flat enough to plant corn.

Some stats about these two nations:

Paksitan has recorded two wins out of 9 attemps in South Africa with only one match ending in a draw. I expect all three tests to produce results as both teams have rather strong bowling line ups. Although the SA batting line up has been solid over the past few years there are still some issues that needs to be sorted out. JP Peterson has recovered from his injury to the webbing of his hand. AB de Villiers in conjuntion with Gary Kirsten must make a decision regarding whether he will concentrate on his batting or keep wicket as well.

The young Quinton de Kock in my view is still a tad to inexperienced, so either Tsolikile comes in as care taker for a year or two, until de Kock is ready. The other alternative is AB sticks to his guns if CSA feels it is too little too late to consider Tsolekile as a temporary solution.

Although AB has not been great with the bat, he hasn't disappointed either.

Pakistan have a few injuries themselves and the latest to withdraw is Tafeeq Umar with Imran Farhat his replacement. Pakistan has been the model of unpredictability over the past few years, but might just have turned the conrner into more consistent performances over 2012. They seem to be a team that can run very hot when their confidence is up, and it seems that is the exact mental space they find themselves in presently.

Fortunately for the Proteas, CSA has forgone any tests in Durban this year as their very disappointing record of 4 losses in their last five test series ahs cost them a good number of series wins.

The major factor in this test series will be the strong bowling attacks of both teams.

Expect Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal to lead the bowling attack for Pakistan and Dale Steyn, Philander and Morkel to lead the South African attack.

Ajmal in 2012 took an incredible 39 wickets at an average of 20.56 in 6 tests during 2012. His series against england was perhaps the catalyst that ground the english confidence to a halt with 24 wickets in three tests. The most important question here is after not playing a test since June last year, will he hit his straps from the start?

When you look at Gul's career stats he doesn't seem very daunting, but when you consider his performance against england last year, and admittedly he hasn't played a test since Middle last year, but if he repeats those performances Pakistan might well put SA under enough pressure to get a win.

when you look at Dale Steyn's record since 2011 you might be thinking he is losing his edge. Yet still firmly ensconced at the top of the bowling rankings and have taken 52 wicket at 25.17 per wicket. If that is what steyn does when he is off form, then I'll put him in my team anyday.

Philander started his career with a bang, his first seven test got 50 wickets, then in england last year he started coming back to earth with some avergae performances, it was to be expected, yu just don't expect any bowler to continue taking a fifer every match. His figures are still very impressive, but there is a chink in his armour. Fitness, he has not yet convinced me he can stand up to the rigours of international cricket in long spells. Little niggling injuries seem to come along once every series.

when you start talking about Morne Morkel I am hoping he has a blinder this series, slowly improving his bowling, with more accurate placing in length and line, he has now managed to get his career average under 30. Centurion and Wanderers should help his bouncers.

Squads.

Pakistan.
Misbah-ul-Haq (c)
Abdur Rehman
Asad Shafiq
Azhar Ali
Ehsan Adil
Faisal Iqbal
Haris Sohail
Junaid Khan
Mohammad Hafeez
Mohammad Irfan
Nasir Jamshed
Rahat Ali
Saeed Ajmal
Sarfraz Ahmed (wk)
Tanvir Ahmed
Umar Gul
Younis Khan
Imran Farhat


South Africa
Graeme Smith (c)
Hashim Amla
AB de Villiers (wk)
Faf du Plessis
Dean Elgar
Imran Tahir
Jacques Kallis
Rory Kleinveldt
Morne Morkel
Alviro Petersen
Robin Peterson
Vernon Philander
Jacques Rudolph
Dale Steyn


Fixtures

February 2013
1 South Africa v Pakistan Test Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg 10:30
14 South Africa v Pakistan Test Sahara Park Newlands, Cape Town 10:30
22 South Africa v Pakistan Test SuperSport Park, Centurion 10:30

March 2013
1 South Africa v Pakistan T20I Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban 18:00
3 South Africa v Pakistan T20I SuperSport Park, Centurion 14:30
10 South Africa v Pakistan ODI Chevrolet Park, Bloemfontein 10:00
15 South Africa v Pakistan ODI SuperSport Park, Centurion 14:30
17 South Africa v Pakistan ODI Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg 10:00
21 South Africa v Pakistan ODI Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban 10:00
24 South Africa v Pakistan ODI Sahara Willowmoore Park, Benoni 10:00

Now Kallis goes, given out LBW to Ajmal, Kallis reviewed it, but this time, there was no doubt whatsoever, well and trouly out. South Africa 88-3. This match is is not over yet!.

Get Tanvir off you ponce.

Review against de Villiers here.

And looks like the ball is missing the stumps. Yes, he survives. Pakistan have lost both their reviews.

Now less than 50 needed, for the first time I am confident we can win this test.

South Africa need another 32, but Saeed Ajmal has just dismissed Hashim Amla. Will there be another twist?

The only interest now is whether Ajmal can get his 10th wicket before SA score their 20 runs.

now tanvir gets a wicket

Kamran: "Misbah actually keeps getting back to Tanvir because he heard the commentators saying that Pakistan's slower bowlers are its only chance to win this game."


Well played SA, well fought and deservedly won.

South Africa win by 4 wickets!.

Saeed Ajmal was fabulous, Vernon Philander was brilliant. AB de Villiers was consistent, Younis and Shafiq fought hard.
But for all that, my man of the match will be Robin Peterson. He picked up 5 wickets in the match, bowled particularly well in the Pakistan 2nd innings, and played a match turning innings from number 8. Life for a South African spinner is usually tough, but a terrific contribution from Peterson.

Indeed it is Robin Peterson the man of the match!.

Great testmatch, Pakistan recoveredreally well from the previous test and their batting was very resilient with the older ball between overs 30-80 in the first innings.

I like Irfan, I reckon he will be a solid performer for Pakistan in Future, I did expect a lot more from Gul, but it seems his form of 8 months ago has left him and he is back being just a decent bowler.

Ajmal was terrific, first time since Warne that I am mesmerised with a spinner, and then azhar ali (spelling) good batsman.

Congratulations South Africa, series comfortably wrapped up. Didn't think we'd see a conclusion today, but there we go.

South Africa won the toss in the third test and are batting. They are 38-2 at the moment. Smith and Petersen are the men out. Rahid Ali dismissed Petersen, and young Ehsan Adil accounted for Smith with his 3rd ball in test cricket.
Both sides are playing with changes. Big Jacques has a calf injury and isn't playing, and Morne Morkel was injured in the previous match. Kyle Abbott is making his test debut, and Rory Kleinveldt gets another opportunity to impress.
For Pakistan, Umar Gul is unwell and Tanwir Ahmed is dropped, so is young Nasir Jamshed. Rahid Ali, Ehsan Adil and Imran Farhat are in.

Faf and Amla rebuilding for South Africa, 78-2 at the moment. Hashim on 35, du Plessis on 18. Saeed Ajmal is on now.

Wow...Kyle Abbott plays...what can Saffer fans tell us about him? Does that mean the door has finally been closed on Rudolph for good?

South Africa 91-2. They are going at over 4 an over despite the loss of those 2 early wickets.

shivfan wrote:Wow...Kyle Abbott plays...what can Saffer fans tell us about him? Does that mean the door has finally been closed on Rudolph for good?

He has been in hot form this season, medium pacer more a Philander than a Morkel or Steyn.

good strike rate, low average, low econo rate. 25 yrs old.

I will be interesting to see how he goes.

I really feel for Jamshed. Getting stuck in as an opener in your test debut against the best bowling attack in the world on their home pitches, then getting ditched from the side altogether after just 2 games.

South Africa 104-2 at lunch. Amla on 50, Faf on 29.

3rd wicket down now.

The 3 Pakistan seamers have less than 90 first class games and 2 test caps between them, good job considering. The batting looks really light though and unles this pitch suddenly turns into a subcontinental dustbowl I dont see much hope for the Pakistanis.

South Africa 192-4. Hashim Amla just got out for 92. Elgar joins AB. Rahid Ali with his 2nd wicket.

Elgar given out LBW, he's reviewing it. Looks like he has wasted one, yes, he's gone, 196-5.

Rahat Ali with his 3rd.

Robin Peterson joins AB. The all-rounders have to step up for South Africa here, Kleinveldt and Philander are capable with the bat, and Abbott has a First Class average of 19 with the bat.

50 for AB de Villiers. South Africa 230-5.

South Africa finish the day on 334-6. AB de Villiers on 98, Vernon Philander on 45. A fine recovery from 196-5. Peterson and AB put on 52 for the 6th wicket, and AB and Philander have now put up the highest partnership of the innings, an unbeaten 86.

De villiers gets his sixteenth century, and then Philander on 45 edges one between keeper and slip, it is not caught and Philander moves to 49

Philander gets hi second test 50

SA 344/6 in 87.5 overs

Hundred partnership between AB and Philander.

Biltong wrote:Philander gets hi second test 50

SA 344/6 in 87.5 overs

what's he smokin'? good knocks from AB & Vernon.

Philander is out for a well-played 74....

Linebreaker wrote:

Biltong wrote:Philander gets hi second test 50

SA 344/6 in 87.5 overs

what's he smokin'?

Not allowed to talk about it.

Hi-5 mate!

Kyle who? Where have they been hiding this guy?

what is it with south africans and debuts...

De Lange and Abbott have both done exceptionally well on debut...

Kyle Abbott had an absolutely impressive debut, and he adds to South Africa's bowling depth. Pakistan all out 156 in their first innings in response to SA's 409, Smith promptly enforcing the follow-on, and Dale Steyn cleaning Mohammed Hafeez up first ball in the 2nd innings. Pakistan 14-1 at stumps, and it looks like a 3rd day finish is pretty much on cards.

Abbott among the wickets again today....

A little premature, but this summer has truly been Smiths Magnum Opus. Steyn and Philander have been absolutely phenomenal. about 60 sticks between them. Pity they wont be playing Tests till Nov.

SA are a serious team.. because pakistan arnt this bad!!

I cant wait to play em again!!

South Africa have found a better way to manage the bowler's workload. They don't rest their prime bowlers in tests, but finishes the match on the 3rd or the 4th day and ensure an additional day or two of rest for the quick men. Good for wicketkeeper AB de Villiers as well.
And happy for Robin Petersen, didn't have much of a say with the ball as the quicks were doing all the damage, but he took the last wicket and found a place for himself on the scorecard with the ball.

was Jamshed injured? If not crazy to drop someone who has only had 2 tests and made a 50 in one...

a bit of both with Jamshed. Great effort from Steyn this summer. 33 sticks in five Tests. Best in the world, maybe top five all-time.
Ranking the proteas this summer, I would say.

G. Smith 7- Didnt score much, but won every Test and broke a few milestones.
A. Petersen 6- Scored a ton vs New Zealand. scored the odd fifty and took a few stunners in the slips.
H. Amla 8- good season scored a ton vs New Zealand as well as a handful of fifties. Also reached world #1 this summer.
J. Kallis 5- was decent support with the ball, but averaged around 24 with the bat.
ABDV 8,5- two tons and a few fifties. Very solid behind the stumps.
Faf du Plessis 6- Bit of a come down this season but scored a ton and had some starts.
Dean Elgar 4- A little harsh? Maybe, he did score a ton v NZ, but dropped a few catches, and to my irritation, seems to only know how to play the slog sweep vs spin.
Robin Peterson- 7 did as much as was possible with the ball, cinsidering conditions. Also scored a crucial 84 vs Pak.
V. Philander 8- Probably deserves 8,5-9 but I subtracted half a mark due to him missing yet another match due to that thigh.
D. Steyn 9- three "Michelles", and a tenner. 33 sticks in five matches, might be the greatest cricketer currently playing Test cricket.
M. Morkel 7 was very good support. Slightly unlucky not to have picked up more sticks. Time may be running out for him to arrive as "The man". But, like Chris Bosh at Miami Heat, just because he is the third best player on his team, doesnt mean he is any less of an all-star.
R. Kleinveldt 5- Solid support nothing more nothing less.
K. Abbott 9. Only one game but what a debut. will provide a more detailed break down tomorrow.

mystiroakey wrote:SA are a serious team.. because pakistan arnt this bad!!

I cant wait to play em again!!

Is it Winter 2014/2015 that we're playing them again in South Africa? Either way, can't wait!

all about playing the best duty!

today's t20 washed out without a ball being bowled...

winner takes all on sunday

when Faf du Plessis officially starts his t20 captaincy of the saffa side.

Nice reward for him. He deserves it.

yup, also think AB giving up the gloves in t20's and odi's, with Quinton Du Kock taking the gloves

Pakistan won by 95 runs!!

Hafeez 85, Gul- 5-6

was stunned that Du Kock didn't play...